RAYS OF HOPE✔

Chapter 31

"Would like to say anything about what just took place here Miss Aisha Malumfashi?"

"Is it true that your own Aunt is the mastermind behind this?"

"Will you eventually hand her over to the police custody?

"Isn't that what anyone in your situation would do?""

"How do you feel after this shocking revelation?"

Questions were shot at Humaira left, right, and centre as the members of the ENews frantically tried to get her statement. Cameras flashed at her repeatedly. They hovered around her as Adeelah and Nabeel held her close. Her mind was in a frenzy. She was too distraught and weak to say anything yet she mustered all the remaining strength and courage in her to do so.

"I've said this a while ago and i'll say it again. I've no intention of filing a case agaisnt or reporting my aunt to the police. I intend for this to remain a family matter and nothing else. Besides, It's common to have minor issues between family members. We'll sort it out. One thing I wanted to do was to prove myself innocent in the eyes of every accuser and alhamdulillah i did. Accurate and Reliable Channels published false information about me so I want my name free of the taint brought upon it and for that defaming video to kindly be put down online and all other TV stations that also uploaded it."

"But will you continue pursuing journalism even after this?" A young woman asked from the crowd of people.

"Ofcourse I'll. Why should I stop or give up? This isn't the end of the world. I believe it is a test of my faith which I pray I've passed. After all, I'm in my final year and will be done soon In Sha Allah."

"Are you__"

"Okay no more questions please. As you can see my sister needs all the rest she can get now. She'd already answered the major questions. Kindly let us go." Nabeel uttered after seeing the pleading look on Humaira's face. He held her hand tightly as they squeezed their way out of the chaotic crowd.

*~*~*~

"I...I just can't believe this! How could you do such a thing Ya jidde? Even if Humaira isn't related to you, didn't you think twice before doing such an atrocious thing to a fellow woman? Didn't you for once stopped to think of tainting the dignity of someone who is like a daughter to you?!"

"Please calm down Ammi. We wouldn't want your health to deteriorate again. Let's try and discuss this more calmly." Nabeel held her shoulders with desperate plea as he tried to get her to sit down but Ammi wasn't having any of it. Seeing the ENews on TV a while ago felt like a dagger stabbed to her chest. She tried breathing in as much air as she could before she continued speaking.

"Don't tell me to calm down Nabeel. There's nothing calming about all these. I want Ya jidde to answer my questions today. What has my daughter ever done to deserve this cruelty? What have I ever done to deserve all these loathing from you Ya jidde? Just what have I ever done to you?!"

"Are you seriously asking me what you've ever done?! I've always known you lack wisdom but I didn't think you were this na'ive, Maymunatu." Goggo jidde guffawed sarcastically but she wasn't done yet. "If you want to pretend that you don't know what you've done then let me remind you.

"It was always you Maymunatu. Your husband loved you too much that he refused to take my friend as his second wife despite rejecting her as his first. He chose an outsider from his tribe instead. He loved you more than he loved us, his siblings. He loved you too much that he overworked himself to see he provides constant shelter and food for you. And what did he gain return? A high blood pressure that lead to his death. All you have ever proved to do is yield bad luck. So now give me one good reason why i should not loathe you and your unfortunate children?! Give me a reason why I shouldn't avenge you and your children for what you made my brother go through? Come to think of it, you might as well be the reason for his dea_"